Tips or tricks to removing 25 yr old window tint?
 

Got aftermarket window tint on my car that I'm sure has been there since the 80's. Still in decent shape but it's starting to curl off the bottom of the windows and looks a little ratty.

Can I expect it to pull off in one big sheet and then scrape off the glue residue? Is this one of those "shouldn't take more than an hour or two" that turns into a weekend project?

Steam. It's been covered here before. Try a search.

J

Single edged razor blade in a holder and windex works too. Rear glass defrost lines are at risk with the blade, though.

Heat gun/hair dryer would assist as well. Steam took off (with ease) for me a bedroom door plastered with stickers with no impact to paint.

Here is a link with more ideas.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/481569-window-tint-removal.html

Stickers
 

The adhesive they use is extremely difficult to remove, I would not risk steam..too much condensed water!, or the hot air gun, which is often used to remove stickers from vehicles, and as someone has already said do not scrape the back window unless you want to ruin your heated elements on your rear window.

There is a product which is used to clean and revitalise UPVC window frames here in the UK.
This takes off a small amount of surface, and revitalizes the whiteness.
I find that the same liquid is brilliant at removing this infernal glue.

I assume that the formula is the same as the liquid used to remove the glue residue from your finger etc when a bandaid is removed...we call it a plaster.

On the assumption that you do not have UPVC windows over there, I suggest that you visit your local pharmacy and ask at the counter whether the dispensing chemist can provide the same liquid, or similar. The amount you would need by purchasing the small bottles of bandaid glue remover would be very expensive.

email me if you wish geoff@theweaver.plus.com

I did the same thing not to long ago. I had the best luck with steam and a razor blade.

The only thing that hasn't been mentioned here is ammonia. Spray it on, cover with a black trash bag, and leave it in the sun. It works OK but still a pia.

As said - be careful not to damage the heating element with a razor blade.

Tint removal.. I forgot to say, the liquid is not ammonia based, but a little smelly, about the same as turpentine, but a great sticker adhesive remover. I suggest you do the deed outside with car windows and doors open.

The best way is steam and a spray bottle with water and baby shampoo mixed in. Use the steam to losen the glue as you pull the tint off do not hold the steam in one place for to long. Make sure you get the right razor blades so they do not scratch the window. Most tinters use the blue razor blades. You can also clean the left over glue off with ultra fine steel wool. Spray the window down with the water and shampoo first than use the razor and steel wool to clean the glue off. I just did the front windshield on my car this way and it was easy to do using this method.

You can also try something like Goo Gone for any remaining glue.

Sounds like no matter what I choose I should plan on a full weekend project. The rear window looks like it will be a pain. Maybe I can get my little kids who fit back there to do it.

Not a whole weekend, see link to my old post. Get it hot enough with the steamer and it should not take less than an hour. Soak it real good with water using a spray bottle then blast it with the steamer. My tints were about 10 years old.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/449491-i-am-believer-steam-those-tints-off.html

i was told years ago that spraying amonia on the surfaces and letting it sit in the hot sun will do wonders removing it.

+1 Ammonia

Cut large black plastic trash bags into patterns to match the windows (from the inside). Spray tint/windows with ammonia and stick the trash bag patterns to the glass. Park in hot sun for 1 hr. Peel back patterns occasionally and re-wet with ammonia. After 1 hr. remove patterns then peel off gooey melted window tint with ease. Clean remaining residue with Goof Off or GooBeGone.

steam from a tint shop, it's cheap and painless

Took me four hours about three weeks ago to do this. I had tint on every window, the PO even did a huge 10" strip on the windshield. The tint itself being so old came of in about sixty seconds, but the glue... We tried steam it didn't flinch. Had to use foaming window cleaner and razor blades. For the rear window we used plastic razor blades to prevent damage to the defroster.

Try pulling off by hand first. I've never had to use any chemicals before to get the sheet off.